Picture frame



' April 25, 1950 F ned: March 16, 1943 A; CRISTIANI 2,505,232

PICTURE FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 54 4a 20 34 'Fi ;6. 56 26 24 32 I8 4854 Amedeo Grist/am INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 25, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PICTURE FRAME Amedeo Cristiani, Lake Placid, N. Y. Application March 16, 1948, Serial No. 15,180

2 Claims. (Cl. 40152.1)

1 V This invention appertains to novel and useful improvementsin picture frames.

Anobject ofthis invention is to maintain a picture or the like on display for personal or public use.

Another object of this invention is to maintain transparent members as well as a picture within a frame, the said frame being attached rigidly to a-base member.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved means for carrying out the above mentioned function.

Another purpose of this invention is to supply a decorative picture frame of preferably plastic material which iseasily shaped and worked and which will enhance the attractiveness of the picture or pictures supported.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty will become apparent to those skilled in the art, in following the description of the preferred forms of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33-of Figure 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the second form of the invention;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the invention shown in Figurel, the auxiliary frames thereof being in the closed position; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 4 and in the direction of the arrows.

This invention has been developed to supply an inexpensive but attractive display device for photographs, pictures and the like. It is within the purview of the present invention to utilize commercial plastic substantially exclusively. However, it is understood that other materials such as mirrors of various colors, wood, metal, and others may be employed if it is found desirable.

Viewing first Figures 1-3, it will be seen that one form of the invention includes a decorative base ll] preferably of commercial plastic material With a pair of strips l2 and M respectively rigidly secured thereto. These strips are substantially parallel and form a bottom for a picture frame generally indicated at "5.

Side members l8 and 29 respectively are secured to the base I 0 and are received between the said strips l2 and I4. Finishing blocks 22, primarily for decorative purposes, but also to support the sides is and 2|), are supplied in conjunction with the said sides and the base l0.

Received between the sides 18 and 20 and also between the two strips l2 and M is a pair of transparent members 2'4 and 26 with a photograph or the like 28 therebetween. Of course, one of the transparent members, either 24 or 26, may be substituted for an opaque member if it is found desirable.

A top 30 rests upon the sides l8 and 2B, or if it is found desirable, the top 30 may be integral with the said sides. In order to maintain the transparent members within the confines of the picture frame and between the said strips 12 and [4, a specially devised bracket is utilized. This bracket may be seen as a pair of substantially U-shaped members 32 and 34, respectively, having pins 3% extending therethrough. These pins also extend through the top 30 and may be detachable in nature. Interposed between the bight portions of the U-shaped members 32 and 34 is a rod 38 which also rests on the top 3!). Of course, the U-shaped members partially overlie the transparent members and also partially overlie the said sides I 8 and 20.

Referring now to Figure 4, a second form of the invention is illustrated. This second form is substantially identical in structure to that of Figure 1. However, the base it] may be built up on small decorative blocks 40 and 42 for additional height and for ornamental purposes. The structure U of the U-shaped clamps is identical and they are maintained in place by the described pins 36. Secured to the said sides l8 and 2!! in this second form of the invention there is a pair of sleeves 46 and 48. Each of the said sleeves is utilized for the purpose of maintaining auxiliary frames somewhat smaller than the center or main frame l6.

Since these auxiliary frames are identical in construction, the description of one will necessarily lead to the understanding of the other. Therefore, viewing Figure 4, it will be seen that a second sleeve 50 is attached to one of the auxiliary frames generally indicated at 52. This second sleeve 56 accommodates a substantially oval-shaped bracket 54 which also extends through the said sleeve 48. By this means, the auxiliary frames, generally indicated at 52, are hingedly supported to the sides [8 and 2B of the said main frame It. Of course, any type of photograph or picture may be utilized in association with the invention, and if it is found desirable, a backing (see Fig. 6) strip 56 may be interposed between the picture or photograph and the back transparent element 26. This of course is a matter of choice and may be obviated if it is found desirable.

While there has been described and illustrated but preferred forms of the invention, it is apparent that certain variations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, limitation is sought only in accordance with the scope of the following claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A picture display device comprising a base having a frame attached thereto, said frame including sides and a bottom forming picture receiving grooves, and a top, means partially seated on said top for retaining a picture and a transparent member within the frame, said means including a pair of substantially U-shaped brackets secured to said top and partially overlying said sides, and pins passed through the parts of said brackets which overlie the sides and also pass through the said sides, sleeves attached to said sides, a substantially oval-shaped bracket having a pair of longitudinal sides, one of which is secured to one of said sleeves, a second picture supporting frame having a sleeve secured to the other oval-shaped bracket longitudinal side, said last-mentioned sleeve being pivotally mounted on said substantially oval-shaped bracket side.

4 2. The combination of claim 1, and said second frame having side members, a bottom, and a top, substantially U-shaped brackets disposed at the junctions of said sides with said top and said bottom, and pins passed through said brackets and said sides.

AMEDEO CRISTIANI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 715,376 Harper Dec. 9, 1902 716,074 Magie Dec. 16, 1902 976,764 Humble, Jr. Dec. 27, 1910 1,111,458 Hight Sept. 22, 1914 1,857,423 Zadek May 10, 1932 1,880,823 Courtenay Oct. 4, 1932 1,893,168 Hammer Jan. 3, 1933 2,126,558 Kaul Aug. 9, 1938 2,265,579 Schuck Dec. 9, 1941 2,403,491 Bogia July 9, 1946 2,411,372 Hicks NOV. 19, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 544,273 Great Britain Apr. 3, 1942 

